Lost Treasures! Theatre Warehouse Treasure Hunt! Come explore with me. What will I find?!?

[@dalegriggs5392]

Alex, my son operated a drive in movie site outside Clinton, Illinois during the summer during the early 1980s. In the winter he ran the in town movie theater. It was quite exciting for me because both were huge carbon arch projectors. They were antique by that time and had to be restored to operational condition. My son and I tore those things down, cleaned them up, replaced bearings and switches and got them running. It was an amazing experience. In the carbon arch era there had to be two projectors as feature length movies required at least two huge reels of film. The first projector held the first half of the movie on a reel tray, the second projector the rest of the movie. Both projectors were fired up literally with the carbon arch. It took at least two people to switch projectors. No one ever noticed it but in the upper right hand corner there was a number countdown from fifteen to zero. At zero both projectionists had to simultaneously pull the levers to switch from the first projector to the second to continue the film uninterrupted. Most of the time it worked and the car bound audience was happy. However any interruption at all triggered a couple hundred car horns honking constantly until the film resumed. Made for a very high stress level. Most stoppages were caused by a film burn from the hot carbon arch flame. If that happened the damaged part of the film had to cut out and the film spliced back together. Sometimes the film would simply break and had to be spliced. It took about two minutes properly splice a film, all the while with horns honking endlessly. It was an interesting time.

[@shelleynobleart]

Great story! You put flesh and blood on the process of changing reels. I have noticed those markings in the upper right corner of old films and the big white hand scrawled circle for the "change now" signal.

[@itsjustournature8045]

We had two 35mm projectors, purchased for $35,000 CAN from the vaults of a bank after a theatre went bankrupt. They had more modern changeover buttons to change from one projector to the other. The reels were 20 minutes long. The machines were loud and you were usually working on another film, splicing, checking where the changeover marks were. This was the 1980's, 1990's, but I think we just scraped the emulsion off so that the white light would shine up on the screen. But we got a lot of international films and there could be false changeover marks at the 3 second or 4 or 5 second marks or have multiple marks on the same film. I think I had one film from China that was joined together with a pin. So, you had to be aware and careful when you were first processing the movies for damage and needed splices because we were manually running the film through our hand, reel to reel. The projection booth was a noisy, busy place and despite popular belief the projectionist usually didn't get a chance to actually watch the movies, except when they were first learning. I think we had a copy of the movie "Everlasting Story" that the company that installed the projectors left for us to practice on. I was told that the film classification board that reviewed all the films and gave them their theatre rating was still using carbon arc projectors in the 1980's/90's. I wonder if they still are?!

[@dalegriggs5392]

ItsJust OurNature I doubt if any carbon arc projectors are still used regularly. We have a restored theatre here in Decatur, Illinois that does have two carbon arc projectors in the booth for antiquity but the films they show are done on modern projectors.

[@dalegriggs5392]

Shelley Noble the one thing I most remember in that old drive in theater was how extremely hot it was. There was very little ventilation and the carbon arc projectors were extremely hot from the carbon arc flame. The carbon arc actually produces an acetylene flame that is very bright and reflects on the lenses to give enough light to project the images onto the huge screen. Air conditioning couldn’t be used as that affected the burn of the carbon arc. It was a very hot, miserable job to show a movie to excessively honking customers!! Lol

[@itsjustournature8045]

@@dalegriggs5392 You could be right that carbon arc projectors may not still be used regularly now, but my point was that in the 1980's and 1990's the film classification board, the people who viewed every film and gave it's public rating before it could be shown in the film theatres was still using such an old technology, still at that late date. I assume their were some real film lovers at the board that loved and appreciated that carbon arc technology and for some esthetic or romantic reason, still used it every day.

[@nancymontgomery8897]

Oh this was fabulous. When you entered the warehouse my first reaction was kind of blah. Then when you showed us individual items through your "Alex" eyes, it became a world of fascinating days gone by. It's a blessing how you can see worth and fun and history where er normies cannot.

[@donna7873]

I agree. His knowledge is amazing

[@verasileikis17]

🎟 I think that the blank reels are iconic and would be great decorative additions to ‘media rooms’. (Now all I need is a media room!)🎬

[@NitrousDiecast]

Vera Sileikis i just commented this too! Ha ha...

[@nancymontgomery8897]

Yes, I can see a great wall display of film reels.

[@Peter-pv8xx]

The ones must sought after and worth anything are the Goldberg 35mm reels.

[@trojan6530]

Lol....

[@toonman361]

I have two old 16mm empty reels hanging in my classroom for just that reason... they look cool. I don't think my teen students have any idea what they are but I sure do.

[@maddieadams75]

Aww look Pickle Rick should be introduce to Girl display 😂 ❤️

[@oldschool6345]

Maybe you need to to a little brokering. Advertise the goods for them, take a cut, sell it from their warehouse. If they are considering trashing it, any value is more than that. You're right, the age of that equipment means someone somewhere will want it. Thanks for sharing

[@bigred5535]

The vent/heater covers are absolutely beautiful, each a work of art.

[@toonman361]

Agreed! Even if they are all different, they would make beautiful register covers for the new addition. Any he doesn't use he could sell.

[@stevek6432]

the vents could have a light behind them

[@margaretchiotti]

Growing up my dad owned the local theater. Great time.

[@rhondabarry1126]

All I can say is WOW Zyes you will have to go back. Maybe you can get a storage unit to store all you goodies in till your Addition all done. Loved it x x

[@neilthehermit4655]

Hi Alex, everything you show in this video has a collectors market out there. Cinema enthusiasts worldwide would be interested. - I suggest you (and the storeroom owners) get in contact with cinema clubs and various related hobbists and collectors. I ran cinemas here in the UK for 7 plus years and the dedicated fans will go crazy for this stuff, some people have built detail accurate cinemas in their own homes/communities and are always on the look out for authentic parts or display items. The sale of this stuff may not be quick(think vintage book market) but most of the stock can be sold,rather than junked or scrapped.....Of course depends on time / money constraints.!! Anyway another excellent video, thank you.

[@pauloadams6330]

If you're building any kind of an entry stoop you could build one of those grates into it for a door mat. People can kick off the dirt and snow from their boots.

[@pamreising6518]

You are taking me down memory lane. I was in management with Cineplex-Odion Theater and had to thread the projectors, which were huge,especially when you are pregnant HAHA. Love your videos

[@rogerholloway8498]

When I was a boy in the early 50's, Mom and Dad ran a local Drive In Theatre that used carbon arcing projectors. Those projectors you have are indoor theatre size, while the drive in type projectors are about three times larger. I'll tell you, you'd lose pounds every night via sweating in the summer months with no air conditioning in the projection booth. It was a nasty job that paid little more than all the popcorn you could eat. ThaNks for making me remembering that era!

[@itsjustournature8045]

I imagine a wall of those huge JBL speakers with a red electric guitar and a movie poster of Back To The Future!

[@pattijaeger8941]

All I could think, looking at those old reels.. Boy could Josh make awesome sculptures with those..

[@TimeTunnelToysUK]

I used to work in a movie theatre and when they modernised it, I was allowed to take whatever I wanted. Got some cool lenses which I eventually sold for good money

[@lazerpeabody8062]

Nice video Alex keep it up also i'm glad a wide majority of movie theaters still use film . epically when its hard to digitize 100 year old film or 80 year old film for classic movie nights with out damaging the strips .

[@deeyoung5620]

They have places here that you can go watch old movies outside, on the side of the building. Put down a blanket and cuddle up :) Great fun!

[@jimmyjimjims7483]

You walked right past that "Earth Girls Are Easy" glowing beer mug Alex! Noooooo lol

[@nancymontgomery8897]

That was such a campy, awful movie, LOL. Had lots of talented people in it.

[@elroy8272]

Oh..really great cult movie with future stars.

[@RhettyforHistory]

Those old pieces of equipment are really cool! I'm surprised they have kept all of it for so long. Bottle Bob would have wanted the 7up bottle!

[@LauraLouise008]

More cool finds!

[@nancycowell-miller4321]

Alex's life is a non-stop adventure! How wonderful!

[@susans707]

I loved the fifty's looking leather case that is a record player. So awesome with the gold and white.

[@justmeiniowa]

@Curiosity Incorporated You should recommend to them to set up a specialty auction with Kastner Auctions to get rid of that stuff instead of junking it !

[@murlthomas2243]

One of the dials in the Dutch Master box looked like it would have fit that safe. Those old movie reels would undoubtedly sell for people looking for wall decorations

[@edwinakemp8554]

Had to pause to go make popcorn. Seriously! 😂

[@marshacrom6206]

I liked the record player in the vinyl suitcase.

[@MrGaryRoberton]

Anyone who can remember the experience of actually going to one of the old movie palaces would be fascinated to see what survives of the old stuff you would need. The Dream Factory that Hollywood once ran is fading away fast now. Thanks, Alexander.

[@OldCatDude]

That motograph speaker is a drive-in speaker. P.S. You hit pay dirt! Got some nice classic stuff.

[@verasileikis17]

You and Josh are a great combination of creativity, hard work and comedy. The moment when he picked up the anvil was priceless!

[@tvtitlechampion3238]

If your other store hasn't sold yet, maybe use that for storage and as a clearing house for this kind of stuff. It's probably better to try to get it to sell, but it could be useful in the short term. Maybe re-purpose some these projectors for an outdoor film fest.

[@michaelcherry8952]

17:20 I could see re-purposing some of those old cast iron heat registers as the front of wall or ceiling light fixtures. Not necessarily for strong illumination, but as a decorative light. The elaborate casting would make interesting shadows.

[@heatherferguson265]

Bravo! again and always for your inspired choices and hard work. Stay safe. All good things to you and your family.

[@emilyolsen3916]

I work at a 92 year old theater that opened right towards the end of silent films. We have some of the COOLEST projectors that we still use to show our silent films... they are such a blast to see!

[@donpepe90]

In case nobody has mentioned it before and you passed them by, consider the projector lenses for a future pick. They're starting to become popular with photographers as they can offer some interesting effects.

[@dansetzer1454]

Cyd in USA. Oh yeah...get into those old theater basements !

[@JeanStAubin-nl9uo]

Your knowledge of these movie items amazes me.

[@jesusisGod1434]

I like to play the game as I watch Alex go through the shelves and guess what he will buy and take to the shop! I thought for sure he was going to buy the women’s pretty record player that looked like a suitcase.🤔

[@itsjustournature8045]

He did say he might have to go back for more trips! :-)

[@jesusisGod1434]

ItsJust OurNature So there is still hope! I think I saw another comment on here about that item too.

[@Vault57]

I think the sign 13:15 was selling “8-Tracks & Cassettes”. Putting it back in the 1970s when we would sit in our cars up at school and debate the relative merit of sticking with our 8-tracks or upgrade to cassette. I still have my old Panasonic 8-track player although it needs a replacement belt. Hope to put it in my car and break out the old tunes 😁

[@statewench2828]

The citizens of your town are so lucky to have your shop available to them.

[@barbaraschmidt5062]

Interesting finds. Old projectors and film tins. WOW. Grates looks like something Josh could make something out of.

[@patriciageorge2531]

Wow wow wow, dang I need to come to your store! Those grates! Perfect for home I’m restoring!

[@ohPokey]

Wow another great haul!

[@rebeccam8154]

"I could use a box of knobs" not something you hear every day. 😁

[@elyseraval8273]

Very cool stuff there. It was like a museum but could touch the items! Fun!

[@melenaschneider7652]

Oh man! That old 50's TV really brings memories. We had one very similar to that in about '52 or '53 when I was 4 or 5. I remember it sitting in the living room and watching some show on it - maybe Roy Rogers? But nothing was on at night, just during the day and early evening. I loved seeing all those old movie theater projectors and other things too. Thanks Alex!

[@dgmills5351]

You seem to be a magnet for wonderful and interesting "Shopping" Sprees Alex! I am always happy to see what you find and sometimes resurrect from what seems an impossible condition!

[@TheLoonlady]

Hi Alex, I am a golden ager who used one of those floor grates to make a great patio table that won't blow over & break. It was from my mom's home from when there was only one floor grate in the house when it was heated by a huge coal furnace. I used the base from an old treadle sewing machine that I found in an auction for cheap. Happy hunting & stay safe.

[@NitrousDiecast]

Cool items! The empty film reels are good decorator items to hang on a wall for a modern theatre room...

[@queergarments8223]

I love watching these vlogs when I sew!

[@jmcosmos]

oh. my. GOD!!! I have never wanted to be along with you on a pick as much as today! I was a cinema projectionist in early-1970s small-town Texas, working with projectors and lamps my great-uncle installed around 1940 or 41 (just before the war made it impossible to buy new equipment). The pieces you went through today yanked me right back to fifty years ago and the projectionist's booth of the New Majestic Theatre. 01:12 That's a later Simplex head, maybe after 1960. My projectors had Super Simplex heads on them. 01:42 All those Century and Simplex reel housings ... and some tweeter and mid-range horns, 1950 or earlier. 02:40 The big platter reels were used in the 1980s and 90s, before everyone went digital. The old ones I used in the 70s were 45 cm diameter, and held about 20 minutes of film each. 02:54 Can't see it clearly, but I think that's an interrupter mechanism which blocked the light for the instant that the film advanced from one frame to the next, and made sure the film advanced in the instant that light was blocked. 03:24 Dude, let it be! That's nacho machine! 03:40 Zeiss Ikon were some of the finest optics of their day. 04:41 Those are boxes of carbon-arc rods for projector lamps. I still have a few on a shelf someplace that I ganked when I left. 05:17 NOS combination locks can be found without enormous difficulty. Finding the guy who knows how to re-install it properly is somewhat more difficult. 06:11 Close, but no Dutch Masters cigar. 06:55 Ooooooohhh, a pair of Peerless arc lamp houses! 07:15 Yep, turntable to play music during the between-show clear-outs. Mine was a 45 rpm. 07:30 Drive-in in-car speaker. 07:59 Wollensak open-reel tape recorder. 08:03 There's the one I used at the Majestic! 09:12 Of course; _everybody_ used carbon-arc because it was the whitest light you could get, prior to xenon bulbs. 13:43 Oh, that is a CUUUUTE little mantel clock!

[@LarcR]

Great video, Alex. I would have been in heaven in that warehouse.

[@hippydippy]

Cool place! I can tell you as a vintage audio collector, those JBL speakers are GOLD & worth a ton of money!!! Looks like they had the horns that go with them hanging above them too. I'd have been all over those.

[@johnm.withersiv4352]

Such a specific set of items. Somebody is probably salivating over what you left because they see more value in it, as their niche, than you would.

[@shelleynobleart]

Such a great picker, Alex!

[@RJ-er3gv]

We had a 1956 spartan TV when I was a kid. It had a gray metal cabinet wire legs. Basic TV, I would helped my dad replace tubs many times over the years.

[@AniDuBes]

I would totally buy that Earth Girls are Easy Cup.

[@elroy8272]

Great cult movie with future stars.

[@PricillaMac1]

OMGosh! I just loved this episode. I thought this was very very interesting. I would love to step back into the old picture theatre :) Reminds me of a 'Return to the Future' movie

[@cottonwoodbazaar941]

Thanks for sharing and caring! Stay Safe!

[@janeysiegrist5061]

You got a knack for finding the most interesting places to pick. I'm so glad I found this channel..its been a constant source of inspiration and entertainment for me for quite a while now.. I think I started watching you about 6 months before you shot to trending with the Disney cel. Thank you again and again for sharing your life with us.. you are a gift

[@adrianbirkett594]

Very nice little walk around, can I just say... Be careful not to overload your shop, which I love. It can be off putting for some people with stuff everywhere. God bless. Adrian

[@rachelh5211]

Even when his shop is full, Alex always does a fantastic job of organizing and merchandising to make a fun experience for his shoppers. He also regularly thins things out to make way for "new" acquisitions.

[@leannewacker589]

Power of suggestion...I started sneezing from all the dust.😁

[@nancymontgomery8897]

LOL

[@mcwatersd]

You got some very interesting pieces. They bring back lots of memories of being a child and Dad taking us Sat. Morning to the movie theater. He'd pay for our ticket(50 cents) and a treat (10-25 cents) and leave us there for the morning . That Roy Rogers poster really struck home as they would run those shows as a series and each week you got the next episode. Very cool finds. Keep Safe❤Keep Well❤

[@chrislongbeard]

Whoever built the shelves right at the beginning must have taken classes from my great uncles and their parents. Every thing they did was over built. Nice to see that they care enough to save the old equipment and contact you rather than just getting a dumpster.

[@TheTimo233]

What an amazing load of cool stuff! Maybe the auction house you frequently work with could help these people out, would be a shame to see some of it scrapped.

[@jeanieschmidt3781]

I LOVE that clock that looks like a fireplace!

[@davidmaterazzi]

You can get Joshua to make nice tables out of those vent/heater covers for your new addition. Weld a few together.

[@bigred5535]

Wow.. lets hope none of that ends up on the trash heap. You really found a gem.

[@itsjustournature8045]

@Curiosity Incorporated I have always thought that those metal floor grates might look good as cold air returns at the bottom of a wall. You need them anyway with modern heating system. I would just paint the wall cavity behind the metal a black colour so the hole isn't distracting to the eye. It might be a way to display the wonderful metalwork and have a cold air return at the same time. Better than cutting a big hole in the floor to use as a heat register ...now that's commitment!.

[@lindalee7083]

WOW! I can relate to the 50's! Loved the trip down memory lane. With all the great stuff you find, I'm always amazed by your energy and the capacity of your brain for all things collectible! Best from NJ

[@adambennis3321]

Brings back memories for me - I worked in theaters in my teens to early twenties back in the 90s. I really love all the vintage film pieces. I saw those modern JBL subs that is the same ones my theater had - I always wanted one or two to take home for my home theater. Great video and great finds this time Alex!

[@davidcraddock7011]

fascinating, mesmerizing

[@thesam19841]

If you can manage, on the new building,find an old hoist to help ease items a) out of the car and b) for setting up things like the projector... my old work had a slideable winch that lifted gages on to our CMM table, perfrct for lifting furnitur inside ... A hoist would also look really cool attached above the garage door, or to the side... I know the patio is kind of full but even a movable one on wheels might be a cool project to create for loading and unloading

[@nancymontgomery8897]

Alex is young and strong now, and surely will be in this line of work for decades longer. Your hoist idea is a good thought to help him as the years go by.

[@thesam19841]

@@nancymontgomery8897 I'm actually a few years younger than alex, but i hurt my back when i was a teenager...Because i know myself, i'm incorporating a hydrolic lift and a winch into my pickup bed trailer... like us all who work with old items, we get too excited and don't want to wait for help!

[@nancymontgomery8897]

@@thesam19841 Smart! Take care of that back.

[@MoondyneJoe]

Alex, some decades ago I used to go to a coffee place in Perth (Western Australia) and they used to play old black and white movies on a wall, it made your visit quite enjoyable and something different. As you have that concrete area outside you just put in, why not use the side of your shop with a drop down screen to have the odd movie night depending on the by-laws maybe sell hot dogs, popcorn etc on the night for a hot summers night it would be a good way to bring the community back together Tony from Western Australia.

[@the-chillian]

When I went to college in the early 80s, the student council would show movies weekly -- never a first release, but whatever they could rent for cheap after its first theater run was done. The projectors used carbon arc lighting. It was a bit of a fine adjustment to get it to work properly. You had to ignite it by touching two carbon rods together, then separating them to optimal distance. Then they'd ablate as the electricity arced between them, so there was a motor that kept them separated at a constant distance. This had to be adjusted to the actual rate at which the rods ablated. These were a somewhat more modern pair of projectors than @Dale Griggs describes here, since switching between them at reel changes was pretty straightforward and one person could do it.

[@jenford7078]

That Spartan TV is like my earliest TV memory of home, sitting on the steps behind my dad's chair while he watched The Late Show

[@albertlegros3828]

You can use the metal vent covers as table-tops for occasional tables for outdoors. Add legs and they are good to put your drink on when you're sitting out on the deck or patio. Weather-safe, and hard to knock over such heavy tables, too.

[@scottsmith8546]

I can see it now Alex: Old time movies with Pop corn, ice cream, & Malted Shakes & Soda's in the Garage/Movie Room!!

[@workingmom8162]

How cool, the opportunities that are offered to you.

[@annebeatejohansen4682]

Those old tv`s where cute👍🏼

[@sifgylfadottir1185]

I love the clock you find the most amazing thing's

[@bosgaurus1]

Sweet!

[@dianafertig2188]

Thank you for the fun morning coffee entertainment.

[@katherinekaufman9856]

Alex, you have a great eye for what displays well.

[@Parmesana]

The vent covers are nice. You could even put rubber pads on one side and use them for dining table trivet(for the turkey platter)...or put them on a piece of colored plexi glass that you would light up from behind

[@MoNica-ov1hs]

Alberta Amusement Tax - I would put that in my rec room! Lots of great stuff. If you don't use those old heat registers Josh would put them to use, they are already wall art!

[@heidikortman2534]

I hope you picked up that old cigar box with knobs, because I believe I saw the dial for the safe.

[@nancymontgomery8897]

That would be fortunate. I sure don't want Alex to throw his back out transporting the heavy safe.

[@NeatNoodle]

What a fun pick for us to get to watch. Thanks for sharing!

[@watchingytvids1]

I think they should do an auction. You’ve great ties with an auction house... Seriously cool back room!

[@stormchaser300]

HI ALEX ITS GOOD TO SEE MOVIE HISTORY IS BEING PRESERVED.👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@ammother]

Awesome video

[@Carolbearce]

Love to see the items you find!

[@amandataub842]

I am so glad that you got the iron grates. Those are seriously cool! You should use some of them in the new store as grates. The small grates would be great for home renos.

[@themichaelvortex4784]

Love these “kid in a candy store” episodes, Alex. Nice picks! Thank you.👍🏼🤘🏼😎

[@agamemnon8163]

I use to own a move theater in 1955, lots of memories coming back. Back in my day we called it the 'pictures', short for 'moving pictures'. Then after the Nixon administration they abbreviate it further to 'movies'. Anyway my theater burned to the ground because I left the trainee in charge when I caught the ferry to Shelbyville. I needed a new heel for my shoe. So I decided to go to Morganville, which is what they called Shelbyville in those days. So I tied an onion to my belt, which was the style at the time. Now, to take the ferry cost a nickel, and in those days, nickels had pictures of bumblebees on 'em. "Gimme five bees for a quarter," you'd say. Now where were we... oh yeah. The important thing was that I had an onion on my belt, which was the style at the time. They didn't have any white onions, because of the war. The only thing you could get was those big yellow ones.

[@itsjustournature8045]

You are a writer, with time on your hands, right? :-)

[@davidflamee]

Those vents would look great on the store floor. If you took up some floorboards and placed them between the joists and added some underfloor lighting. Put perspex sheets down first to catch dust and debris from customers shoes, and place the vents on top. A friend of mine did it with some Victorian greenhouse drainage grates. Cool find.

[@izoraiza7169]

At 14:00 my uncle had a TV similar to that one... It was a newer one with a similar look.

[@rogermueller9143]

you found one true love for pickle rick!

[@gretchenarrant8334]

What fun to see all that old movie apparatus!!

[@dianefitzpatrick4250]

Love all the old projector stuff!

[@Randy8923]

Enjoyed. Fascinating treasures!